Take a leaf from Penang and declare assets, Najib urged

The Penang state government has received a pat on the back from a local human rights NGO, for publicly declaring the assets of its top officials, including Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's.
Penang branch Suaram coordinator Lee Hui Fei said the declaration of assets exercise was a "significant step" towards instilling greater accountability and transparency in governance.

Lee urged Prime Minister Najib Razak and his federal cabinet to emulate the Penang act if he is serious about transforming the government.

"Close to four years since being elected into office, Lim's (right) administration has finally fulfilled a basic commitment to ensuring clean governance by beginning with those at the very top," Lee said in a statement.

"This brave move by the Penang executive councillors sets the bar for all aspiring politicians, that is, if you have the ambition of taking public office, you must be prepared to be able to stand up to scrutiny," she added.

Lee was referring to the assets declaration announcement by Lim and his state excos in Komtar yesterday, where the properties, investments and liabilities of each official are publicly laid bare.

She expressed hope that Penang will continue to take progressive steps towards achieving genuine transparency where each and every person holding public office can proudly declare that they have nothing to hide.

"In the long term, we hope the Penang (government) can set standards that it is truly above par to enforce strict compliance with ethical and accountable governing practices," she added.